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Info Session: February 5, 2025, 12:30-1:30pm. 

*Idea Prize 2025 Workshops: Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

*Pitch Socials: TBA

Preliminary & Final Dates
Idea Prize Preliminary Virtual Pitch-Offs (virtual): Monday, March 3, 2025 - Wednesday March 5, 2025.

*Idea Prize Finals (in-person): Wednesday, March 26, 2025

*Awards (virtual): Thursday, March 27, 2025

*Dates are tentative, subject to change, and times are TBA

To be eligible to receive award(s), applicants (including at least one SFU-connected founder) MUST be available to compete in the in-person Final Round on March 26, 2025 at SFU-Surrey for the Idea Prize Finals. 

** Ventures do NOT need to be incorporated in order to compete. **

ELIGIBILITY

• Less than 1 year of operations (from date of registration / incorporation, first sale, or other significant activity like a website launch)
• Under $5,000 revenue
• Under $25,000 combined non-dilutive / dilutive investment (excluding research grants or competition prizes)
• At least 25% of intended or current ownership must be held by a member of the SFU community
• Startup may be registered or incorporated as a not-for-profit, co-op, business, or be a non-formalized research, class or other team project
• All industries and sectors welcome.  
• Other eligibility factors:
  • Past Idea Prize winners are not eligible to compete with the same idea/startup.
  • Current Chang Institute incubator participants can not apply with their incubator-supported startup, but team members CAN apply with a NEW idea/startup

Note: The Director(s) of the Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship reserves the right to make the final determination of the eligibility of submitted ideas and business ventures. More eligibility/criteria is available in the application form.

• $20,000+ of cash and in-kind prizes including:
  • $8,000 for Top Idea/Category/Founder Prizes
  • $2,500 for promising SFU Alumni founders
  • IP Package - Canadian trademark registration & legal support (valued at $8,000)
  • More to come!

IDEA PRELIMS JURY

• March 3, 2025 Jury:
  • Richard Miller
  • Sina Salari
  • Viry Perez
  • Christina Wong
  • Angie Schick
  • Dave Thomas
     
• March 4, 2025 Jury:
  • Mike Shields
  • Floyd Sijmons
  • Macarena Cataldo
  • Alex McGovern
  • Alvin Lin
  • Dave Thomas

IDEA FINALS JURY

• March 26, 2025 Jury:
  • Brandon Chapmen
  • Ryan Stolys
  • Andrea Barrios
  • Oliver Kapepa
  • Peter Payne
  • Dave Thomas

• Anidea
  • Anidea’s handyman aggregator aims to democratize access to skilled professionals by creating a platform that levels the playing field. By connecting local, fully certified (as per legal standards) handymen directly with consumers, they seek to foster competition, drive down costs, and enhance transparency. This approach not only empowers homeowners with fair pricing and quality service but also supports local tradespeople in growing their businesses, ultimately transforming a monopolized market into a vibrant, community-focused ecosystem.
• Breakup Deliveries
  • Breakups are one of the most emotionally challenging experiences, yet support during this time is often inconsistent. Friends and family care, but they have their own lives. Common advice—like journaling, socializing, or focusing on self-care—often feels overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. That’s where Breakup.Deliveries comes in. We provide customized care packages designed specifically for individuals navigating heartbreak. Using psychology-backed healing methods, we tailor each package to the recipient’s needs, incorporating the Five Love Languages to offer comfort in a way that truly resonates with them. Whether through words of affirmation, self-care items, or comfort foods, our packages focus on deep emotional healing—not just coping. More than just a product, Breakup.Deliveries is changing the breakup narrative—from an ending to an opportunity for self-growth and renewal. With a one-time purchase or bundle model, our care packages can be purchased for yourself as a step toward healing or as a thoughtful gift from a friend looking to show meaningful support when words aren’t enough. The demand is real—23% of people invest in self-care products post-breakup, and the emotional wellness industry is booming. We’re tapping into a market that’s craving structured, intentional healing. We’re currently in the testing phase, validating our concept with real users. As we grow, we’ll expand into other emotional hardships, such as friendship breakups and job loss. Breakups don’t have to be endured alone. Whether for yourself or someone you care about, let’s redefine healing—one care package at a time
• CPQ Hero
  • CPQHero turns meeting transcripts into quotes, all within your existing tools.
• Gear2Peer
  • Gear2Peer is a peer-to-peer outdoor gear rental marketplace that makes adventure more accessible, affordable, and sustainable. Whether you have gear sitting unused in your garage or need equipment for your next trip, Gear2Peer connects owners with renters in a safe, convenient platform. Our service allows outdoor enthusiasts to save money, reduce waste, and try new activities without the upfront investment. Unlike traditional rental shops with limited inventory and high prices, Gear2Peer taps into the vast supply of underutilized gear within communities, creating a decentralized, user-friendly alternative. We prioritize trust and security through identity verification, damage protection, and a streamlined rental process. With hundreds of waitlist signups and a strong online presence, we’re building a community-driven platform that helps people get outside while maximizing the value of their gear.
• HomeKeep
  • HomeKeep is a premium subscription service that provides unlimited, stress-free home maintenance—handling everything from routine handyman tasks to urgent HVAC and plumbing repairs. Our expertly vetted professionals proactively manage your home’s upkeep, ensuring complete peace of mind through transparent pricing, personalized local support, h and exceptional service quality. With HomeKeep, you never worry about home maintenance again; it's like having your own dedicated home concierge, available anytime you need.
• OBO (Our Brownie Obsession)
  • At Our Brownie Obsession (OBO), we’re redefining celebrating milestones with premium, customizable brownie slabs—a unique alternative to traditional cakes and desserts. Whether it's celebrating a loved ones success or impressing clients at corporate events, our handcrafted brownies feature edible printing, personalized chocolate messages, and a luxurious unboxing experience. With quick turnaround times, we make thoughtful gifting effortless— ensuring you never have to settle for generic gifts again. ensuring every occasion is unforgettable. Because at OBO, we don’t just bake brownies—we create moments, memories, and a little bit of magic in every bite. Let us make your next gift as unforgettable as the moment it celebrates.
• Qlass Board
  • Ever wished for a study resource that cuts through the noise and gets you exam-ready quickly? That’s QlassBoard! Find your course on our platform and start preparing. Fast. Our content is created by experienced TAs who have taught your courses for many semesters, helping you focus on what truly matters. We’re actively expanding our offerings across a wide range of majors because we want to empower every student to succeed without the endless hunt for quality study aids. Tell us what courses you’re taking next, so you never have to struggle for your exams again!
• SoloPilot
  • A staggering 50% of independent consultants fail within five years. That's because they waste 30% of their time on non-billable, yet crucial, business operations. SoloPilot is your AI-powered solution for streamlined operations, automating tasks like marketing, client management, and invoicing to save time, earn more, and be competitive.
• TapBot
  • TapBot: Automating Aerospace Inspections for Safety and Speed Helicopter rotor blades are critical for flight safety, yet their inspections are outdated. Every 100 hours, engineers manually tap blades with a coin, listening for defects. It’s slow, risky, and prone to error—costing thousands in downtime and compromising consistency. The Solution: TapBot. This robotic inspector automates tap testing with impulse hammers and AI-powered acoustics, spotting delaminations faster and more accurately than humans. It cuts inspection time by 50%, removes safety hazards, and delivers reliable, data-driven results. Proven Impact: On a 1m x 1m test surface, TapBot achieved 99% accuracy for defects over 1 cm². We’re now scaling to full blades, with pilot programs ready at [Company X] and [Company Y]. Market Potential: With 40,000 helicopters worldwide, TapBot unlocks $20M in annual labor savings—plus safer flights and less downtime. The Ask: We’re seeking $500K to certify TapBot, ramp up production, and claim 10% of the helicopter maintenance market in 18 months. Why Us? TapBot transforms a dangerous, manual process into a precise, automated standard. Let’s revolutionize rotor blade maintenance—making aviation safer, faster, and smarter. Join us.